Neighbors that surround the King Metal recycling plant at NW 86 Street and 36th Avenue have been very concerned that their health and lives might be at risk. They blame what they describe as pollution coming from the plant for health problems in the neighborhood, including what they describe as an unusually high number of cancer cases in a concentrated area.

The Miami-Dade Health Department is looking into a report of an unusually high number of cancer cases in a northwest Miami neighborhood. Lillian Rivera, director of the county health department, said authorities are not yet clear about what the situation is. (Published Thursday, Sep 6, 2012)

A close examination of cancer registry and other information found that the community is not a cancer cluster, the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s administrator, Dr. Lillian Rivera, said at a news conference Monday.

Snake Found in Miami-Dade

Authorities are trying to find the owner of a large snake that was found slithering through a Northwest Miami-Dade neighborhood Wednesday morning. (Published Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011)

But cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the county, she said.

“If you look at the top 10 leading causes of death in the county, number one is heart disease, and second is cancer,” Rivera said.

The recycling plant is temporarily shut down and is awaiting permits to begin work again.

The Florida Department of Health will send letters to neighbors explaining the study, and asks anyone who has questions to call it at 305-470-5660.